Eating stone pot hotpot feels like doing an experiment!"Stir-fried meat with aromatic spices" warms the stomach perfectly in winter.

Reported by Hua Shaofu / Taipei

Stone Research Lab, which has four branches across Taiwan, specializes in stone pot hotpot. Founded just one year and two months ago in Taichung, the staff joked about the origin of the store: "We wanted to play on the homophone between 'Stone Research Lab' and 'laboratory,' using various culinary experiments to offer customers a fresh dining experience." Good news: from now until the end of February, show the ETtoday News Cloud app when you visit and get a free serving of Sichuan crispy pork slices with your meal.

▲ Stone Research Lab specializes in stone pot hotpot. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Stone Research Lab has locations in Taipei, Taichung, and Hsinchu, offering individual portions of stone pot hotpot. The first branch originally used gas stoves, but after switching to induction cookers in later branches—due to more even heat distribution and better safety—the change was gradually adopted. Aside from white rice, Uni-President noodles, and glass noodles, diners who order the "Warm Tonic Liquor Chicken Pot" or "Beer Sesame Oil Chicken Pot" can also opt for an additional "Sesame Oil Glass Noodles."

▲ Dishes at Stone Research Lab. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

The sauces are continuously being developed. Currently, there's a Stone Research spicy sauce, which is self-developed and carefully formulated—with proportions precisely adjusted. In addition to soy sauce, onions, and minced garlic, the flavor also carries a slight kick of spice. Uniquely, the containers for the sauces also feature distinctive designs, such as beakers or separatory funnels—lab equipment—all to give diners the feeling of conducting an experiment while adding sauce.

▲ The Warm Tonic Liquor Chicken Pot is a new winter-exclusive dish. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Warm Tonic Liquor Chicken Pot
A new winter-exclusive dish, the shop owner said with a smile: "In winter, everyone wants something warm to drink, so we keep the flavor profile lighter. The liquor chicken is made with our own blend of traditional Chinese herbs, and we also provide a small cup of rice wine that customers can choose to add—or not—depending on how strong they want the alcohol flavor to be." The chicken thigh meat is purchased fresh from the market, resulting in a Q-textured bite, unlike the often dry and tough chicken breast. The owner kindly reminds: "If you order this pot, you can also choose sesame oil glass noodles as a side dish!"

▲ The beef tastes incredibly delicious after being swirled in the Stone Research pot. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Stone Research Pot / Beef
This is arguably the signature dish of the store, combining the traditional stone pot hotpot steps of stir-frying aromatics and meat. After searing the meat, broth is added, making the soup richer and more flavorful—perfect for those who enjoy bold tastes. The selection of vegetables is also adjusted seasonally, featuring basics like napa cabbage, enoki mushrooms, and loofah, along with some hotpot ingredients.

▲ The braised duck blood and braised tofu at Stone Research Lab are full of flavor. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Braised Duck Blood & Braised Tofu
Taiwanese-style spicy hotpot tends to be quite hot, but the flavor here is more Sichuan-inspired, with extra Sichuan peppercorns for a stronger numbing effect. Unlike many authentic Sichuan hotpots on the mainland, where more spices are used—some of which are hard to source in Taiwan—the balance was struck to create the current flavor mix.

▲ Sichuan crispy pork slices are a regional specialty the owner learned in Sichuan. (Photo / Reporter Hua Shaofu)

Sichuan Crispy Pork Slices
Sichuan crispy pork slices are a regional specialty the owner learned in Sichuan. Strips of pork belly are coated in a flour crust, deep-fried, then seasoned with scallions and garlic. They’re not only fragrant but also deliver a numbing sensation. They can be eaten on their own or after being swirled in the hotpot.

As part of the promotion, from now until the end of February, show the ETtoday News Cloud app when you visit and get a free serving of Sichuan crispy pork slices with your meal.

Stone Research Lab Taichung Chunmei Flagship Store
Address: No. 99, Gongzheng Rd., West District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2302-0067
Business Hours: Weekdays 11:30–14:00, 17:30–23:30; Weekends 11:30–23:30

Stone Research Lab HeYi North Car Branch
Address: B1, No. 36, Section 1, Zhongxiao W. Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2371-5580
Business Hours: 11:00–22:00

Stone Research Lab Taichung Zhongke Branch
Address: No. 166-70, Section 3, Xitun Road, Xitun District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2461-3510
Business hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:30–22:00

Shiyan Studio Hsinchu Beida Branch
Address: No. 303, Beida Road, North District, Hsinchu City
Phone: 03-527-7311
Business hours: Weekdays 11:00–15:00, 17:00–23:30; Holidays 11:00–23:30

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